Rockford veterinarian brings the clinic right to your door

Much to Tigger’s chagrin, Dr. Beth Christensen holds him close and peers into his ears.

Elizabeth Davies

Much to Tigger’s chagrin, Dr. Beth Christensen holds him close and peers into his ears.

This 2-year-old cat, the social butterfly of his Machesney Park neighborhood, was seeing his veterinarian for routine shots today — but Christensen suspects he just might have an ear infection.
About Mobile Veterinary Practice

Owner: Dr. Beth Christensen

Phone: 815-229-7205

Provides: At-home care, primarily for cats and dogs. Most appointments can be handled on-site, although Christensen refers animals to a stationary clinic for X-rays and major surgeries.

Despite his good nature, Tigger makes it clear he’s only tolerating her inspection.
A quick run of tests and one medication later, Tigger and his owner are headed out the door. Only, rather than leaving a building, they step from a van onto a residential street.

“It’s a different way to practice, for sure,” the Rockford woman said. “People are fascinated with it. Some people just like the convenience of it, and young parents like it because they can just have the baby monitor on with the baby in the other room.”

While some finicky or particularly sick animals are seen inside their homes, most head out to Christensen’s van in their driveway for tests, immunizations, checkups or minor procedures. From medications and vaccines to a microscope and scale, Christensen’s van is packed with animal-care goods.

“I don’t know what half of our clients would do without us,” said Jenny Bennett, Christensen’s veterinary assistant.

Mobile Veterinary Practice has been a Rockford staple since Christensen bought her first veterinary van in 1994. Her prices are comparable to a traditional vet’s, but she adds an average $30 house-call fee to each visit. She sees about eight patients a day, fewer than when she worked in a traditional practice because she has to factor in travel times, bad weather and traffic congestion.

Still, Christensen loves being a vet on the move, saying she can sometimes spot problems — which might otherwise go undetected — when she sees an animal in its own environment.

“You get to know your clients even better because you are spending time at their house,” she said. There, Christensen can spot an overfilled food dish and watch an animal behave more naturally because it hasn’t been through the strain of travel.

Likewise, euthanasia seems to be easier in the home, Christensen said. Much as she hates to do it, she says putting a sick animal to sleep in its own home seems to be more comforting for animal and owner alike.

“It’s a lot easier,” she said. “The pets aren’t going for a drive, getting all nervous. They’re right where they’re comfortable, in their bed. That’s one of the biggest pluses I can offer.”

In fact, that’s how Tigger the cat came to meet Christensen. His owner, Leo Neubauer, previously had to put down his beloved dog of 17 years, Betsy. Neubauer appreciated Christensen’s at-home work, particularly at the end of Betsy’s life.

“I’ve been coming to Beth for a long time,” he said. “It was hard to get (Betsy) out, so Beth came to the house.”

For Christensen, who grew up on an Iowa farm, there isn’t anything she would rather do. She works to teach her clients about proper animal care — particularly dental maintenance — so the animals she loves will lead healthy lives for years to come.

“I enjoy educating people who are really interested in caring for their pet,” she said. “Focus on what you can (to keep a pet healthy), because you can’t always prevent kidney disease. It’s more fun to do the preventive care than to fix a sick pet.”